234 



THE RUSSET-BACKED THRUSH. 



abouts. On the jth of Alarch, 1891, several birds were "engaged in ctmversa- 

 tion" by the writer near Taconia ; and on the 22nd of January, 1907, two 

 birds were encountered on tlie University grounds in Seattle. In the latter 

 instance the birds would n(_it disclose themselves, altho thev passed half way 

 around nie in the thicket, uttering their charac- 

 teristic and tmniistakable notes. 



In home building this Thrush makes no effort at 

 nest concealment, trusting rather to the seclusion of 

 its haunts. The materials which enter into the con- 

 struction of the nest are themselves in a measure 

 protective, especially in those 

 numerous instances in which 

 the exterior is composed en- 

 tirely of green moss. At 

 otlier times, twigs, bark- 

 strips, and grasses are used; 

 but the two things which 

 gi\-e character to the nest of 

 this Thrush are the mud- 

 cup, or matrix, of mud and 

 leaf-mold, and the lining of 

 dried leaf-skeletons. I have 

 surprised a mother Russet at 

 her task of cup-moulding, 

 and \-erily her bib was as 

 dirty as that nf any child 

 making mud pies. For altlio 

 the beak serves for hod and 

 trowel, the finishing touches, 

 the actual moulding, must 

 be accomplished liy pressure 

 of the bird's breast. 



During a season's nesting 

 at Glacier, in the Mount ^'''■•'■" ■" On-gon. 

 Baker 'district. Mr. D. E. '^'""'' ''^ «"'■''"""' "'"' ^'"''•^■ 

 Brown located about a hun- motuer russet am. hi.k kkuud. 



dred sets of the Russet- 

 backed Thrush, taking no account of nests in other stages of occupation. In 

 distance from the ground, nests varied from six inches to forty feet, altho a 

 four or five foot elevation was about the average. Nests were found in 

 thickets, where they were supported by the interlacing of branches, or else 

 saddled upon the inclined stems of vine maples, or in fir trees. In the last- 



